America Liberata 



By Robert H. Vickers. 



V 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/americaliberata01vick 




SIMON BOLIVAR. 



[From life in 1892.] 



iMERICA LIBERATA 



BY 



/ 

ROBERT H. VICKERS 



AUTHOR OF 

iE History of Bohemia; Martyrdoms of Literature; Zawis and 

KUNIgUNDE, OTAKAR II., ETC., ETC. 



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CHICAGO ^<^ , '■'■ * '- ! .>-" J] 
CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY 

I896 









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Copyright, 1896 
By Robert H. Vickers 



All rights reserved. 



air blow the breeze that moves each rising wave 

Of aspiration for the true and free! 
mooth lie the path of the escaping slave! 

Sacred the soil that nurtures liberty! 
ach crowning triumph manly souls admire. 

Here brother nations strive in unity, 
Heeding devotion rising ever higher 
Intil in common doom oppressions' vaunts expire. 



AMERICA LIBERATA. 



Unnumbered suns Atlantic's restless tide 

Wildly and waste had surged in ebb and flow; 

While mountain billows, ocean vistas wide 
Nurtured a myriad host of life below ; 

No reasoned eye looked o'er the mighty sea; 
But errant birds with tireless wing and slow 

Found home in air and water equally, 

And slept upon the waves that fed them lone and free, 

II. 

Such desert ocean washed a mighty shore 
Stretching from arctic ice to tropic sun, 

And yet beyond antarctic billows' roar 

On the same shore ere yet its reach is done s 

And thence again in vast encircling spread 
To tropic climes, including all in one 

Vast double continent whose mountain's head 

Drained from the skies those floods whence grandest 
streams are fed. 



8 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

III. 

Forth from this shore sun-gilded islands lay, 
Profuse in verdure, bloom, and luscious fruit; 

And the transforming radiance of the day, 

Diffused through leaf, and stem, and spreading root, 

Evolved rich growths by varied breath and food,* 
And creatures whose degree, instinct, pursuit 

Sprang from conditioned powers whose laws renewed 

Those daily springs of life that fashioned all their 
good. 

IV. 

And here the crown of simple nature's grace 

Ail in untutored affluence arose, 
A pristine, gentle, variant, tender race 

Such as from tropic moulding fitly grows, 
Soft as the fruit that fed each supple frame; 

Unversed in arts that want and war disclose, 
Yet swift to voice in reason's hoty name 
Censure for evil deeds, and wrong that blazons shame, f 

* This law of evolution in plants is fully recognized as affected by the 
variant soil and climate of their location . 

f The natives of the islands are described by Columbus as peaceable 
and simple. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 9 

V. 

Within that shore in mountain and in wood 

And stretching meadow teemed profusion's health; 

Through regions vast reigned sullen solitude 
Disturbed alone by cunning's eager stealth 

Of slimy reptile or of prowling beast, 

Or fiercer savage man whose choicest wealth 

Lay in the ambushed raid, the carnage feast; 

From pity as from hope by wanton pride released.* 

VI. 

Yet where the kindlier clime and generous earth 
Yielded food, home, and raiment all in one, 

Plenteous variety to strife gave birth, 
Evolving life beneath a kindling sun 

Stirred eager thoughts of power and of greed ; 
Hid men in tunneled cliff f and rampart won 

From the rude rock, while warm torn limbs that bleed 

Rejoiced exulting foes that danced upon the mead. 

* The North American Indians cultivated the severest stoicism. 

f The cliff-dwellers of America seem to have been driven to these fast- 
nesses probably by the fiercer Indians of the North. 



i o A ME RICA LIBERA TA 

VII. 

Within the tropics' undulating scene 

Commingling races strove for hill and glen; 

Plateau and tableland with vales between 
Vexed avaricious souls of bloody men. 

Toltec and Aztec — sounding names — now bound 
United tribes in hosts again, again, 

With the red hand to seize each fairest ground; 

And cities, conquerors arose with bloody chaplet 
crowned.* 

VIII. 

Yet from this strife new social compacts grew, 
Imperfect, faulty, with commingling good, 

Such as of best advancing mortals knew, 

Ennobling wife and child, home, brotherhood ; 

And still aspiring to an ethic day 

When heavenly power and unseen glory should 

Effulgent light to transient eyes display, 

And the divine should chase the evil things away. 

* Aztec and Toltec, and others still more primitive, strove for masten 
long before the arrival of the Spaniards. Their animosities greatly facil 
itated the conquest. J 



AMERICA LIBER ATA ir 

IX. 

Throughout these mighty regions lay concealed 
Such wealth as coarser souls esteem the best. 

Volcanic rift, and vein, and drifted field 
Gleamed with gold, silver, iron, all at rest, 

And mystic minerals' unbounded store; 
By whose benignant virtues mortals blest 

Contrive unnumbered healing gifts that pour 

Inspiring hopes in men, and move their souls formore.^ 

X. 

Thus all unknown a nascent world remained 
To eastern realms in painful, slow decline,! 

By rival passions' dark ambition stained; 

Impelled by dearth of mind, their fell design 

Chose murderous means to compass human gain; 
Smote every soul whose virtue dared to shine 

With an unwonted luster, in the reign 

Of fierce, fanatic love of slaughter and of pain. 

* The wealth discovered in Mexico and Peru cannot now be estimated. 
The greed of Spain extorted it from the colonies only to squander it all 
on war and massacre in Europe, as in Holland and Bohemia. 

f That the poverty of Europe led to the discovery of America, and 
the dispised science of the Moors restored nations by that discovery, is 
obvious from the history of the time. 



12 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

XL 

While struggling Europe's failing nations' moan 
Sounded from sea to sea, and want and woe 

Yielded the native harvest that had grown 
From skill and science' fatal overthrow 

By each, but most b\ T blind and cruel Spain 
That thrust her best and wisest forth to go 

Despoiled and bleeding o'er the barren main, 

Daughters and wives dishonored, brothers, husbands 
slain, — * 

XII. 

Swept on another woe more piercing still 

From boundless Asia. The portentous horde 

Led by fanatic Turks' revengeful will 

O'er dying empiresf west in fury poured, 

Riving from beggared Europe all the East; 

Their cry, "The Koran, tribute, or the sword!" 

And from that hour crushed Europe's traffic ceased 

To taste the wealth of Ind in mart or princely feast. 

* The expulsion of the Moors exhibited every atrocity of blood, per- 
fidy, cruelty, and robbery. During the passage across the Mediterra- 
nean the brothers and husbands were massacred, and the wives and 
daughters seized. 

f The empire of Constantinople, conquered in 1453. 



AMERICA L1BERATA 13 

XIII. 

Thus fettered Europe's might, in iron bound, 

Of Turkish scimiter and hunger's chain 
Struggled to burst her manacles, and found 

Release in ships that searched the western main, 
Coasting the Afric shore long famed for gold, 

By Moorish science led — her creed's disdain—* 
Strove for the wealth of India as of old, 
Whose East lay in the West, as skillful pilots told. 

XIV. 

Those pilots taught by genius' art divine 
To trace the planets' courses, and foresee 

The shadowing eclipse by prescient sign 

Of circling earth and moon, and their degree 

In orbit hastened by the mighty sun ; 
And contour marking pedants' falsity, 

Averroes the guide, the prize was won ; — 

Fair science' chosen sage, Cordova's noblest son.f 

* The science of the Moors, that formed the abhorrence of the church, 
enabled Colon to prosecute his voyages of discovery. Without that 
science America must have lain still undiscovered. 

f Humboldt states that Averrods led Columbus to believe in the cor- 
rectness of his proposed circumnavigation . 



1 4 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

XV. 

Colon's frail craft essayed the unknown sea, 
Long years endured of waiting and of prayer, 

In halls and schools by pedants deemed to be 
Wisdom's perfection, — faith the ruler there, 

Still the blind slave of fatuous conceit; — 

Her crew Spain's criminals,* or if more rare 

A faithful few still lingered at his feet, 

His full soul guided all with conscious skill replete. 

XVI. 

Ah, ships deep laden with a freight of woe! 

Void of all other. Furrowing the deep 
To mark a track where thousand fleets should go 

With lowering sail to nations doomed to weep 
O'er captive millions slain while still they smiled, \ 

Exiled and butchered in that dreamy sleep 
Of wit amazed, perplexed, yet half beguiled, 
That left to adult men the reason of a child. 

* His first crew deserted, and their places were forcibly filled by crim- 
inals from the prisons. 

f Columbus described the natives of the islands as always addressing 
the Spaniards with a smile." 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 15 

XVII, 

In mail-clad hands the ravening hosts of Spain, 
Sheltered by art a thousand years supplied, 

Shield, sword, and hauberk, and the murderous train 
That scattered lead and iron far and wide, 

Smote the soft flesh of women and of men, 

Whose limbs hacked off fed bloodhounds ere they 
died; 

Grandsire and infant bleeding, gasping, then 

Imploring mercy's grace and yet repulsed again.* 

XVIII. 

Let Guatemala, let San Salvador, 

Let Yucatan and Costa Rica speak, — 
The central land, Veragua's rugged shore 

Proclaim aloud the slaughter of the weak. 
Let all the islands tell the piteous cry 

Of captive millions branded, \ doomed to seek 
A noisome grave, heaped, crowded with the dry 
Bones of the myriad dead piled scornfully on high. 

* See the history of all Central America, Guatemala, Panama, Mexico, 
Peru, and the islands without exception. No language could exaggerate 
he facts as narrated by the most credible eye-witnesses. 

f The slaves received the brand of the letter C, the initial of the name 
I Charles V. 



16 AMERICA LIBERA TA 

XIX. 

Ye smiling isles whose simple bounty crowned 
Homes without number with contentment blessed, 

Attest the change! Usurped the vacant ground 
With thickets spread, by slimy snakes possessed; 

Each vale untrodden owned the bramble's sway, 
A thousand mocking solitudes found rest 

Within the leafy forests where bright day 

Still veiled a constant blush for virtues thrust away.* 

XX. 

Within that mighty line wide realms obeyed 
A potent monarch, f At his least command 

Rulers and judges by his laws were swayed 
And homage bound the nation to his hand. 

Cities and marts and science promised more 
Evolving wealth of wisdom through the land 

Where Tenochtitlan shone with golden store 

And ordered industry and mind long dignified the 
shore. 

* The islands soon became void of population. The island when 
Columbus first touched shore is called Watling's Island, after the notec 
pirate chief John Watling. 

| Montezuma — as he is called by the Spaniards. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA v 

XXI. 

Where Andes swelled to mountain peaks sublime 
And rugged ridges parted teeming plains, 

Beneath the southern tropic's golden clime, 
An Inca's power governed wide domains,* 

And men with joy upheld his welcome throne. 
Each mountain cliff concealed within its veins 

Vast wealth of gold which men esteem their own 

Best riches here on earth, and oft their god alone. 

XXII. 

Here terraced paths upreared o'er rock and glen 
By dark defile and rushing torrents' roar 

Conveyed from field to mart for waiting men 
The fruits of toil to fill with garnered store 

Provisioned vaults sustained with generous care 
By public counsel. None shared less or more 

Than his just portion. Hunger, banished there, 

Fled to remoter lands to propagate despair. 

* Peru possessed an extensive empire, including part of the presets! 
Chile, Bolivia, and as is supposed, of Brazil. 



18 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

XXIII. 

Still further regions, stretching boldly on 

Where Chilean hills touch Patagonian snow, 

Presented gentler scenes to look upon, 

Where manly races* freedom's spirit know. 

And yet again o'er grassy pampas wide 

Wandered glad tribes as yet untaught to show 

A craven fear; a purer airf supplied 

A soul devoid of care as Plata's placid tide. 

XXIV. 

Where Cumana uprears bold verdant hills 

And Orinoco plunges to the sea 
In sevenfold stream whose rushing torrent fills, — 

From peak and forest flowing wide and free, — 
Vast ocean's brine with fresh and limpid wave, 

A fairer race} built, planted happily, 
Finding eventless lives, a tranquil grave; — 
Sudden is heard the lash, the torture of the slave. 

* The Araucanians, so-called, were never subdued by Spain; and they 
-maintain their independence still. 

f The pampas of Buenos Ayres. 

% Early travelers describe some of the tribes dwelling on the northern 
coast of South America as of a singularly fair complexion. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 19 

XXV. 

Craving the unwrought trinkets' golden sheen, 
Or happening pearl from oyster's broken shell 

Gathered for simple food, where nursed between 
The fleshy folds such lustrous trifles tell 

A wondrous tale of man's dependent fate. 
At once within life's lowest confines dwell 

Viands the choicest deem most delicate, 

And jewels that adorn kings' gorgeous pride of state.* 

XXVI. 

Strangers impelled by cruelty and greed, 

Men filled with double passions' fierce alloy, 

Tearing such bauble wealth from ears that bleed, f 
Wrenching soft limbs in frenzy to destroy 

The small beginnings of a nation's rise, 

Rend, burn, pursuing woman's, infant's toy 

To feast a monarch lord's despotic eyes 

With the poor spoils thus seized by ghastly sacrifice. 

* The Spaniards found a very valuable pearl fishery, but soon de- 
stroyed it. 

f Such booty formed the earliest specimens of gold procured by the 
Spaniards in Central America and elsewhere. 



20 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

XXVII. 

A nobler prize doth Aztec stately hall 

And blazoned frieze disclose to corsair eye; 

Where pillared colonnade and tower recall 
Moorish fair science yielded with a sigh, — 

Of chaste Granada or Seville the proud,* 

And thronging mart with wealth profusely nigh 

Announce compacted life in ordered crowd, — 

In palace courtly grace a nation's pride avowed. 

XXVIII. 

Here Venice f rivaled on her wave-washed throne 
And water streets whereon the firm canoe 

Shaped from straight stem in ebon forest grown, 
And terraced parterres, shaded courts renew 

In aqueduct and fountain's freshening stream 
On grander scale to gazers' marveling view 

All that ambitious piracy may deem 

Wealth, and a conqueror's spoil surpassing fancy's 
dream. 

* The conquistadores compared the edifices of Mexico to the Moorish 
structures of Spain. 

f Mexico, in the midst cf a broad lake and with streets formed of 
canals like Venice, furnished many allusions of comparison with the 
famed Italian city. 



AMERICA LIBER AT A 21 

XXIX. 

Through all this gracious land the wanton tread 
Of mail-clad spoiler crushed the feeble down; 

In savage form war raised its snaky head, 
Medusa's self* stalked seeking meet renown; 

In reeking carnage nations fell her prey; 
O'er flowery lawn and thrifty, happy town 

Kingdoms and peoples melted fast away, 

And myriad bleaching bones marked Spain's triumphant 
day. 

XXX. 

Islands bereft of all their children sent 

To pine in caves and writhe beneath the lash; 

Hatred and woe through wider continent 
And murderous retribution in the rash 

Reprisal's stroke that marked despairing heart, 
Evoked again pretense for fiercer gash 

To quell rebellious men now forced to partf 

With the last morsel wrung from desolate home and 
mart. 

* The gorgon cf classical fable, with hair of snakes. 

f The rule of Spain provoked constant insurrections, always quelled in 
slaughter. . 






22 AMERICA LIBER AT A 

XXXI. 

O'er broken courts now alien satraps rule; 

Courts, kingdoms, provinces sullenly obey. 
And maxims culled from pedants' narrow school, — 

The ancient light all darkened in a day,- — * 
Enthral suspicious slaves' reluctant mind; 

New faiths commingled with the oldf bear sway, 
Commerce all stagnant, robber}- combined 
With pride's tyrannic greed fling virtue to the wind. 

XXXII. 

Thus hopeless hate, and dark fanatic guile 

Of cowled pretenders to divine decree, 
Pirates of gold through each remote defile, 

And t3?rants privileged from o'er the sea 
Plundered and smote through centuries of tears; 

Yet still the embers smoldered silently 
Beneath the ashes heaps of burned out years 
Until a quenchless flame to welcoming eyes appears. 

* Almost every vestige of Mexican and Peruvian literature was ruth- 
lessly destroyed by the Spaniards. 

f All narratives of the conquest describe the deliberate commingling 
of the native creeds with such Christianity as the Spaniards introduced. 
That policy was deliberately adopted. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 23 

XXXIII. 

One lone bright flame from Incas' hearthstone cold** 
Jet of Peruvian essence flushed with light, 

Amid the wreck whose dreary ruins told 

Fountains of good long buried from the sight; 

Temples of crime and wrong upreared instead; — • 
That flame illumed each Andean snowy height 

And streamed o'er broken pathways where the tread 

Of million cowering slaves moved past the mighty deaci 

XXXIV. 

One scion still renewed the ancient line 
Linked with Peruvian greatness that of old 

Crowned every hill with wisdom half divine. 
Blending the ancient thought and manly mold 

Of Inca kings with that true sentient soul 

That felt the kindling light whose beamings rolled 

Before glad eyes, and burning stirred the whole 

Torpid and passive race as warmth resumed control. 

* The descent of Tupac Amru from the Incas has always been acknowt^ 
edged by the Spanish courts. 



24 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

XXXV. 

Not vengeful passion moved the eager thought 
Of Tupac Amrou; not impatient woe 

Of personal wrong; but mercy long besought 

For bleeding kindred smitten, plundered. Slow 

Enduring long for justice' better mind. 

Yet when oppressions' scorn disdained to know 

Care for remonstrant wisdom's prayer designed 

To sway a tyrant's heart to sense of human kind, 

XXXVI. 

Rude weapons seized with hands unskilled to wield 
The spear or sword, or with true aim to speed 

The deadly lead; or o'er the chosen field 

To guide the marshaled ranks to soldier deed. 

Vain struggle strewed dead thousands on the plain ; 
Stripling and woman doomed alike to bleed 

To glut Spain's vengeance, glorify the reign 

Of callous despot's vice, and cowled fanatics' chain. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 25 

XXXVII. 

Then soulless ire, malignant wanton wile 

Swell the fierce heart of tyrant satrap braved, 

Eager to slay, with torturing pangs the while, 
The last loved chief of nations long enslaved, 

Brand on the woe-worn heart of doomed Peru 
In burning signs repulse of mercy craved, 

Raise terror's awful menace to the view, 

And pageant's bloody scenes of agony renew.* 

XXXVIII. 

Four eager horses stand strong-girthed and tight, 
The dauntless chief lies manacled and prone; 

Then raised to reach the horses' level height, 
Bound to each steed a single limb alone 

Links the four beasts that rushing they may rend 
Each severed limb, and with commingling moan 

Pierce the awed souls whose tears of anguish blend 

With the acuter pangs of mother, wife, and friend. \ 

* The execution of Tupac Amru at Cuzco formed part of that barbar- 
ous dramatic exhibition of brutal violence that formed Spain's habitual 
policy for the repression of the natives. It produced an effect contrary 
to that intended. It exasperated. 

f Tupac Amru was torn to pieces by four horses in presence of all his 
family at Cuzco. 



2 6 AMERICA LIBER AT A 

XXXIX. 

Scarce move those noble beasts, as knowing well 
A better form than theirs hangs stretched between: 

Yet shouts and restless strivings all impel 

To eagerness; then wrenched and torn is seen 

The riven flesh: Sudden amid the roar 

Of mocking cries and groans a scream most keen* 

Resounds from boyish lips of anguish sore;-— 

That shriek still sounds in woe on each Peruvian shore. 

XL. 

Sad years Peru crouched silent, dazed with grief, 
A visioned slumber soothing half her fear; 

Pulseless and wan, despairing of relief, 

When lo, two dreamers in that sleep appear 

Telling strange sights oft flitting in their view 
Of strange deliverers landing from the clear 

Expanse of ocean, east and west, and new 

Tidings of freedom's joy from o'er the ocean's blue. 

* This incident, well known, compelled the viceroy to remove the boy — 
Tupac Amrou's youngest son — to a Spanish prison. He screamed at wit- 
nessing the tortures openly inflicted on his father. He is believed to have 
died in Spain, a prisoner in want and misery. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 27 

XLI. 

To Aguilar, Ubalde,*— seemed to rise 

A new Messiah for the stricken land. 
A beauteous visage beamed before their eyes 

Proffering right to men with outstretched hand. 
But word and dream alike betokened crime. 

Their blood soon reddened Cuzco's yellow sand, 
Their name emblazoned in the book of time, — \ 
Their parting words replete with beckoning hope sublime. 

XLII. 

Full in their steps behold a generous throng, 

Paredes, Unanue, learned Pezet; 
Pardo and Silva, doomed to suffering, long 

Within Valdivian, Spanish dungeons lay. 
Aguero, Vista Florida! and all 

The emulous youths who bartered ease away 
For wordy strife, El Peruano's fall§ 
Witnessed Abascal's crime, Peru's loud patriot call. 

* These harmless visionaries seem to have discovered in each others! 
faces the likeness of celestial messengers, seen in dreams, and supposed 
to come as deliverers. . . 

f The parting words of Ubalde, a priest of much eminence, are pie- 
served, and form part of the classical literature of Peru. _ 

t These literary aspirants formed a kind of political coterie tor tne 
general education of Peruvians in liberal doctrines. They received no 
favor, and suffered bitterly. 

§ The journal established in Lima. It Uvea only a short time. 



28 AMERICA LIBERA TA 

XLIII. 

Good tidings then announced a wondrous change; 

Spain bowed to mind at last;* and quivering gave 
The open scroll an unimpeded range. 

Thought bounded swift across the surging wave; 
And glad Peru, more restless to be free, 

Found outstretched hands at once impatient, brave, 
That smote the iron doors of mystery 
And bared the bloody vaults of bigot's cruelty. \ 

XLIV. 

There stood the rack with iron bolt and wheel, 
Collar and strap and pinion's tightening band; 

Pulley and rope; and scourge of bloody steel, 
Betokening torture dire and vengeful hand, 

And netted wire with teeth all pointing in 

And roweled bloody chains; the pillories stand 

With slides to grasp each foot, and wrist and chin, 

While veiled tormentors watch, concealed secure within 

* The revolution in Spain allowed the freedom of the press, 
f The Inquisition. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 29 

XLV. 

And human bones with straps to force between 
The opened lips, and press upon the tongue, 

And nippers of tough cane with thongs are seen 
To stifle screams from throats with torture wrung; 

And crescent screws to crush each tender limb; 
And thousand scrolls of men accused, heaped, flung 

Upon the secret shelves concealed and dim ; — 

All deemed the work of Christ,and honor meet for Him. * 

XLVI. 

High over all, with velvet canopy, 

Stood a full image of the Son of Man 
With head to move or nod; while tapestry 

Concealed the living mover's dexterous plan 
Within the screen, that frenzied eyes might gaze 

In terror on the marvel, when began 
The torture question, and the inward blaze 
Of fear should self accuse of crime's most guilty phase, f 

* The demolition of the holy office and its contents by an eye-witness 
and participator in the destruction, in 1812, is preserved by the narrathe 
of the eye-witness himself. The instruments of torture, and parapher- 
nalia of cruelty, are correctly described in the text. The clergy de- 
nounced anathema on all who should retain any portion of them. The 
description in the text is taken from this personal narrative. 

f The narrative above mentioned fully describes this image, and the 
manner of moving the head by an operator on a ladder behind the screen. 



So AMERICA LIB ERA TA 

XLVII. 

Not comrade ranks, not country's sternest call, 
Not woe from robbers privileged by law; 

Not hate's relentless mood, not home, not all 
Insult and wrong that open vision saw 

Stirred the strong ire of long oppressed Peru, 

As these foul dungeon scenes. Ceased trembling awe, 

Banished by righteous wrath. Hence but to do 

Such deeds as nature's self bids outraged hearts pursue. 

XL VIII. 

Long had grief's silent sympathy imbued 
Each suffering region with a kindred pain ; 

And yet a loyal trust in kings had wooed 

Hope's deathless smile; yet still that rankling chain 

Gnawed the proud soul now sentient of its woe; 
Through Andean vales hastes on the warrior train, 

And patriot legions hurry to and fro; 

Belgrano's,* Martin's deeds each hamlet learns to 
know. 

* General Belgrano of Buenos Ayres gained important successes against 
the Spaniards on the outbreak of the revolution in 1810. 



AMERICA L1BERATA 31 

XLIX. 

Oft from Peruvian fastnesses sweeps down 
A Spanish host to quench the spreading glow 

Of patriot warmth. Brave deeds and high renown 
Inspire San Martin's heart to face the foe 

Within the Andean ramparts lengthened line; 
And prompt to do, as soldier precepts show 

Duty's full task, with genius' grand design 

He plans to pierce the rocks of Andes dread incline. 



And Chile's sons, in broken, weak array, 

Chased by proud Spanish legions, gathered then 

In mountain refuge, hastened to obey 

A voice that cheered and marshaled them again; 

Provision, arms, equipment all supplied, 
Leaders familiar with each mountain glen 

Ready to charge where soldier instincts guide, 

And win those hearths again where waiting kin abide. 



32, AMERICA LI BE RATA 

LI. 

A hundred leagues appalling cliffs look down 
Dark chasm and precipice where deep below 

Unfathomed gulfs impending mountains frown, 
O'er rugged strife of moaning torrents' flow. 

On narrow ledge the burdened legions tread 
Whose patriot souls no failing weakness know, 

By hero skill and soldier prescience led, 

Until to loving eyes lie Chilean plains outspread.* 

LII. 

Widens the war. Spain prostrate stoops in woe. 

Venezuela flings the challenge down; 
Granada, Quito, spurn the Spanish foe; 

Province and captaincy and distant town 
Raise freedom's ensign on each bastioned height. 

Oft the rude ranks succumb to skilled renown; 
Yet eager thousands hasten to the fight, 
And death for freeman's name grows holy in their sight. 

* This splendid march of General San Martin over the Andes formed 
one of the greatest military feats ever accomplished. It led to the inde- 
pendence of Chile and Peru. 







GENERAL SAN MARTIN. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 33 

LIII. 

liranda's* skill leads forth an ardent band 

Once premature, neglected, and alone, 
low hailed the welcome chieftain of the land, 

Masters each port and fortress all his own ; 
>afe in encircling fort and rampart strong: 

But discord dark by secret rancor sown 
loves dire defection in his ranks that long 
'n Simon Bolivar impressed the brand of guilty wrong, f 

LIV. 

ut earnest Carthagena,f long the goal 
Of every pirate's ravage, yields a grace 
nd hospitality. In her strong soul 
Rankles the crime — deserted soldiers' place, 
aid yet a few arrayed in ranks again 
I Swelled to a host that onward marched apace, 
greeted with shouts of women and of men 
rhat spread a nation's hope through every field and glen. 

) * General Miranda, a native of Venezuela, a very distinguished gen- 
! r al who commanded one wing, and afterwards the entire French army in 

landers. 
U f Simon Bolivar's first military act consisted in suddenly abandoning 
/ 5 orto Cabello, the strongest fortress in Caracas. 

% The history of this place during the reign of the buccaneers furnishes 
•nly a succession of plundering expeditions almost always successful. It 

'as the depot for the treasure from Peru. 



34 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

LV. 

Caracas' sons soon hear the longed-for sound 
And deck her streets with banners as they wait; 

Strew verdant palms along the holy ground 
And cheer her favored son before her gate ; 

While white-robed maidens, all of spotless fame, 
Drag the triumphal car where smiles in state 

The -liberator; — high and potent name 

That yields a lordly rank his merit could not claim. * 

LVI. 

Swift through the land contagious gladness spreads 
To Popayan and Carthagena's strand, 

Yet Santa Fe impatient rends the threads 
Of binding compact that unites the land; 

Senates applaud the ruling Junta's sway, 
Free pride repudiates a king's command, 

And nations feel a new ecstatic day, 

Thrilled with inspiring hopes, new visions' bright arra 

*• Bolivar, in entering Caracas, was drawn in triumph through I 
streets by white-robed young women. He stood bare-headed, with 
white wand in his hand . 



AMERICA LIBERATA 35 

LVII. 

Through Quito's streets resounds acclaiming cheer, 
And gala crowds make holiday, and show 

Such joy as follows terror's night of fear; 
With banners, music, singing as they go, 

The hoary grandsire, matron, maiden, all 

With flowers decked applause and smiles bestow 

On the proud youths, at country's solemn call 

Who march with ready step to man the bastioned wall.* 

LVIII. 

Cuencan hosts by bishops' fury led % 

Cowled captains flaunting standards black as night, f 
Proclaiming "War of death," with eager tread 

Swiftly approach to crush in bloody fight 
Glad Quito's J03 7 , and beat her freedom down; 

While guilty Montes adds Spain's marshaled might. 
Then reeking carnage strews the prostrate town, 
And massacre and blood give coveted renown. 

* The first effort by gallant, but for a time unfortunate, Quito resulted 
only in massacre. Montes glutted his appetite for cruelty on the inhab- 
itants of Quito without distinction. 

f The raising of black standards by the ecclesiastics, and monks who 
commanded companies and regiments, and the cry of "War of Death," 
are too well known to be disputed. The revolutionists for a time followed 
the example of the Church. 



3 6 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

L1X. 

Through the wide land war's ceaseless ravage reigns; 

Death hastes on vulture wings to seize its prey; 
Hate smears on every home its bloody stains, — 

A century's pride crushed, ruined in a day; 
Yet native courage combats every foe ; 

Kingdoms redeemed resume fair traffic's way; 
Cities and marts again essay to know 
An hour the fruit of peace amid surrounding woe. 

LX. 

Sudden, an awful peril unforeseen 

Threatens the very earth. Each tower and wall 
A vibrate quiver forces quick to lean 

Trembling from side to side, then crashing fall; 
And yawning fissures breaking through the plain, 

And darkness shrouding all with death-like pall 
Foreshadow final judgment's burning reign; 
Each seismic shock a throe of earth's convulsive pain, S 

* This earthquake, 1812, created consternation in the insurrectionist 
ranks. It was represented as a judgment from heaven. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 37 

LXI. 

Now crumbling ruins block each lonely street; 

Fortress and fane and shattered hamlet lie 
Prostrate or torn; and love's commissioned feet 

Traverse the wreck to succor those who die; 
And fever's throb, and famine's growing pain 

Beg simple water with a stifled cry, 
Or coarsest food rejected with disdain 
But yesterday. The cry most piteous sounds in vain. 

LXII. 

In that dread hour, — more dismal still the tale,- — 
Lips deemed the oracles of things divine 

Declare the vengeful God has rent the veil 
Of unseen wrath on all who dare combine 

To move for freedom with a word or hand ; 
Pointing to earth's convulsions' awful sign 

Of woe outpoured upon a guilty land, 

And threatened direr stroke upon each patriot band.* 

* Troops and regiments deserted, until a succession of victories over 
the Spaniards dispelled the delusion. 



3 8 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

LXIII. 

Thus abject fear of God's avenging might 

Confounded seismic fires with heaven's decrees;. 

And hosts to-day impetuous for the fight 
To-morrow seek with supplicating knees 

Pardon from Spain's proconsul as they yield, 
And patriot chiefs forth errant o'er the seas 

In Curacoa find shelter full revealed, 

And f>nn Domingo's* chiefs who hero's scepter wield. 

LXIV. 

Here friendly hands supply in generous store 
War's dread munition ; and again good speed 

A ruler's voice invokes, as from the shore 
Again the chosen chiefs their cohorts lead; 

But fortune favors not the rude essay. 

Standard and weapon reft from hosts that bleed,-— 

Domingo shields again the torn array, — 

But lip and e} T e assume displeasure's stern display, f 

* Bolivar took refuge in San Domingo. 

f A second time San Domingo supplied Bolivar with munitions. The 
account given of this second expedition to the continent forms one of the 
most humiliating chapters in the history of the revolution It exhibits 
Simon Bolivar in his true character 



AMERICA LIBERATA a9 

LXV. 

Yet once again to crush the might of Spain 
Domingo's freedom grants a large supply. 

Blood, slaughter redden La Puerta's plain; 
Venezuela falls with angry cry 

Beneath the tread of Boves' cruel feet, 
Yet rears defiant challenge still on high ; 

Marino's, Revas' shouts triumphant greet 

McGregor's* claymore shield, and Brion'sf sheltering 
fleet. 

LXVI. 

Brave Margarita It Every shrub-grown hill 

Bristles a fortress, every hut and tree 
A battlement. Murillo's cruel will 

Strews every path with corpses; yet on thee 
Breaks impotent and vain his bloody ire. 

Chased by stern Arismendi§ to the sea, 
In panic flight Spain's myriads retire, 
Or swift beneath the lance in crumbling ranks expire. 

* Chief of the Clan McGregor in Scotland. He always wore his-High- 
land costume, and his piper played before him as at home. 

f A Dutch merchant of Curacoa; fitted out a fleet at his own expense. 

% The Island of Margarita, off the coast of Venezuela, named from the 
pearl fishery in the neighborhood. # m 

% Arismendi,the brave chief who defended Margarita against Munllo. 



4© AMERICA LIBER ATA 

LXVIL 

Yet all forgotten lies thy shining name, 
Dark as thy prototype within its shell; 

Yet bearing light to yield a lustrous fame 
For virtue in the lowly. Oft men tell 

Of classic glories blazoned on the page 

Of ancient lore. If thy deeds cease to dwell 

Within the thought of patriot, saint, or sage 

Let this poor tribute praise thy modest soul assuage. 

LXVIII. 

Beside Apure's* level llanos stream 

Barefoot, unkempt, a mingled legion waits 

Resource renewed which soldier glance may deem 
Meet for war's shock. Brave Paez' skill creates 

Squadrons afresh from steeds untaught and wild. 
Britain's stout sons here court war's sternest fates; 

Bearing proud hearts by blood still undenled; 

And crowding fugitive host,mother, and wife, and child, 
* The revolutionists and part of the British legion retired to the Apure 

and the Arauca. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 41 

LXIX. 

Oft these rough horsemen's more than Parthian speed 
Baffles Spain's armored knights and smites them down ; 

None knows reverse where Paez'* skill may lead; 
Each strives to do, forgetful of renown. 

Yet unbridged streams impede their eager way, 
Spain's battle fleet obstruct with angry frown; 

But the bold cavaliers swim to reach their prey, 

And boarding guide the ships triumphantly away.f 

LXX. 

By Orinoco's flood serenely lies 

Lone Angostura's battlemented pride, 
Won from the Spaniard, gallant Piar'sJ prize, 

^Ruling the untamed llanos region wide. 
Here senate's council frames in warm debate 

Decrees by conscience and by law supplied 
To guide Colombia's nascent noble state 
And crown its life secure, perchance supremely great. 

* Paez, the most dashing, skillful, and successful chief of the revolu- 
tionists of Venezuela. His exploits were numberless. Having been 
brought up on the llanos, he possessed little, if any book education. 

f The only known instance of a fleet at anchor being taken by cavalry. 

% General Piar, or Pierre, a mulatto of Curacoa, wrested Angostura 
from Spain. Bolivar a short time afterwards had him shot. Bolivar 
never could endure a soldier of reputation near him. 



4** AMERICA LIBERA TA 

LXXI. 

Hence, marshaled new, led on by Britain's brave, 
Hibernian, Briton, Creole grandly speed. 

Commingled speech commands, strange banners wave.; 
Let truculent Murillo's ranks take heed. 

Long nurtured wrath now sweeps across the plain, 
Until on Carabobo's* rugged mead 

The foeman's ranks long chosen lines retain, 

To hold an empire here or loose the grasp of Spain. 

LXXI I. 

Granada's effort, Tunja's senatef calls; 

Santander'sJ arm scarce curbs the haughty foe, 
Secure within stout Maracaybo's walls 

And Santa Martha's bastions. Deeper woe , 

Spreads in free Carthagena's refuge high 

Threatening defection's strife and hostile blow 
Ere patriot arms bear hoped deliverance nigh, 
And Urdaneta's skill, and Bolivar defy. 

- The second, and decisive battle of Carabobo was won wholly by the 
British legion under Golonel Ferrier, then Brandt, and other ' officers, 
among whom Major Sandes of Dublin stood conspicuous 

f The junta of New Granada assembled at Tunja for security. 

£ General Santander, a native of New Granada He obtained great 
success over the Spaniards, and took a leading part in the victory at 
Boyaca 



AMERICA LIBERA TA ^3- 

LXXIII. 

With painful steps relieving legions tread 

Each Andean path and terrible defile; 
And bloody track marks where the foremost led,* 

Each torrid vale and snow-clad mountain pile 
Wasting the weary legions as they go; 

Yet luscious fruit's refreshing juice the while- 
Speaks nature's sympathy lest sinking low 
Only the grief of rock the toilers' hearts should know. 

LXXIV. 

And Santa Fe forgets her withering grief 

Sentiently hearing friends' ascending cheer; 

And Boyaca beholds long hoped relief; 
Santander's, Paez', Anzoatequi's here 

And Britain's stalwart legion crown the height. 
Now Spain's ensanguined riot costs her dear. 

Avenging hands precipitate the fight 

And hurl her legions far in broken bloody flight, f 

* The sufferings of the troops on this expedition over the Andes to New 
Granada can scarcely be exaggerated. The army consisted of about 3,000 
men, of whom 1,800 were of the British legion To these troops the lib- 
eration of New Granada is certainly due. 

f During these operations, among theseverest that ever tried the en dur- 
ance of soldiers, Bolivar played the part of figurehead. He carried round 
with him the title of liberator; but the courage, skill, and generosity of 
others kept him where he was. 



44 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

LXXV. 

Then torn Venezuela looks around 

On shattered remnants of her splendor gone; 

Fragments and ruins strew the cumbered ground, 
And faces proud by hunger pale and wan, 

Unnumbered thousands butchered at her feet; 
And other thousands, pained to look upon 

Blood-wasted homes, have sought secure retreat 

Where freedom sits enthroned on mercy's sacred seat.* 

LXXVI. 

Woe-worn and weary, yet her friend!}' hand 
Extends to struggling brothers timely aid. 

Long had Peruvian, Chilean patriot band 
On mountain pass and terrace stood arra}*ed 

While gallant Cochran's daring swept the sea. 
San Martin's! genius, Millers! trenchant blade 

At Cailao send thousand captives free 

And from Valdivia , s§ forts bid trembling Spaniards flee. 

* The exodus of the Spaniards from Caracas to the United States and 
West Indies deprived the country almost wholly of its better elements. 

f San Martin, native of Buenos Ayres. led his triumphant army over 
the Andes to the relief of Chile and Peru. 

% William Miller, an English artillery officer, afterwards greatly dis- 
tinguished. 

§ The capture of Valdivia formed one of Miller's most daring exploits. 



AMERICA LIBERATA 45 

LXXVIL 

In Huara's lines San Martin waits the foe; 

Peruvian, Chilean here united brave 
Spain's last resource, already taught to know 

The Creole's wrath too often deemed a slave ; 
And Lima's sons exultant march to greet 

Brothers in arms, and blazoned banners wave; 
Glad cheers resound from every crowded street, 
And nations feel the thrill of victory complete. 

LXXVIII. 

From silver helms* the zenith sunbeams glance 
O'er Junin's plain, as rival pride draws near. 

Aloft each horseman rears his gleaming lance; 
One with his steed each llanos cavalier, 

Inured alone to charge and strike and wheel; 
No cannon's roar, no saber's flash is here, 

But the long shaft and level pointed steel;— 

Before its piercing thrust Spain's squadrons shrink and 

reel. 
* The Spanish cavalry officers in Peru wore silver helmets. Ordinary 
domestic utensils were long composed of that metal. 



46 AMERICA LIBER AT A 

LXXIX. 

Yet faithless Ferdinand* prolongs the fray, 
Hopeless of triumph, yet to bloodshed prone. 

Ruthless of carnage if his scorn may sway 
Hearts trebly pledged old fealty to disown. 

And Canterac'sf pride and V aides' J stubborn skill 
Gather strange legions to sustain a throne 

Hated, abjured by Spain's rebellious will, 

Yet by long custom bound in chained obedience still. 

LXXX. 

Through Ayacucho's§ narrow, rocky dell 
A limpid stream pursues its timorous waj-; 

And here in ages gone, as legends tell, 

An Inca's sword made thousand hearts its prey. 

Now as December's lurid sun goes down 
Sucre's exhausted legions stand at bay; 

Moved by no thought of luster or renown, 

Only impatient each to win a freeman's crown. 

• Ferdinand VII., on his restoration, after the overthrow of Bonaparte 
in 1814, utterly renounced his engagements; restored the old tyranny, the 
gallows, the whipping post, and the Inquisition. 

f The viceroy. % The Spanish commander. 

§ This battle, when Bolivar was not present, decided the fate of Span- 
ish power in Peru. Sucre and Miller commanded the Peruvians. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA ,$7 

LXXXI. 

With the new light brave Valdes' line descends 
From its high vantage. Then with double cheer 

In counter charge each stubborn phalanx blends 
With foemen's ranks; lance, saber, bayonet here 

With victor stroke Spain's chivalry defies. 
Again, again the furious foe draws near; — 

By that red stream an empire's passion lies. 

With Miller's mighty charge Spain's loathed dominion 
dies. 

LXXXII. 

When double planets light the midnight sky 
As weary feet through pathless thickets stray; 

And red Aurora's streamers shoot on high 
And pink horizon speaks benignant day, 

Yearning to dawn and guide the baffled sight, 
Then springs glad sense of new and genial ray 

To guide mazed steps of errant man aright, 

Inspiring souls on earth with heaven's primeval light 



48 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

LXXXIII. 

So felt Peruvian hearts as heralds told 

The gladdening tale of Mexic struggle won; 

Saw from deep north Auroral streams unfold; 
Hailed the fresh beams of regal glorious sun* 

That crowned horizon's ever circling spread; 
Warming to life men's torpid hopes begun 

Ere two chill centuries of gloom had fled ; 

Now lighting halo crowns around the martyred dead. 

LXXXIV. 

Rapt memory recalls with glad acclaim, 

While thought reverting swiftly backward flies, 

Each incident of fear, and blood, and shame 
To the strange joy of victory's surprise; 

Reviewing all with flushed emotion now : 

Cheered by the glow a new morn's light supplies, 

Frames on the firmer lip a deeper vow ; 

And greets heaven's kindling smile with manlier, 
clearer brow. 

* In Peru the sun formed the chief object of adoration, and of social 
and religious philosophy, 



AMERICA LIBERATA 49 

LXXXV. 

There silent sits Dolores;* only waits 

In dreary apathy's eventless round 
Such meaner cares as humble task creates 

Amid the plenteous treasures that abound 
In the long vein that gleams o'er rocky? dell, 

And nectar fruits bedeck the generous ground; 
Where lowly aspiration seems to dwell, 
In those slow-throbbing hearts old keen resentments 
swell, f 

LXXXVI. 

In the still morn at rest the landscape lies 

And flower and tree with fruit and beauty bend; 

Conscious repose glad nature's pulse supplies; 
The song of bird and infant's laughter blend; — 

Instant a dread convulsion rends the plain, 
-From the black sky red flaming bolts descend ; 

Terror and death inflict their awful reign ; 

Quivers the reeling earth as tossed with racking pain.J 

* The remote parish where the revolution in Mexico began. 

f The native Aztecs had never forgotten, under a subdued demeanor, 
the extreme severities of the Spaniards. 

% The earthquake of 1812 shook most of the cities of Venezuela and 
created universal consternation for a time. 






5c AMERICA LIBER ATA 

LXXXVII. 

Not in the verdure of the field alone, 

Nor modeled beauty of each flower and tree; 

Or tinted modesty of bloom is shown 

Earth's choice expression of her sympathy, 

By feature fixed and form and mold portrayed; 
But in the inner life's stability 

By the bright prismic hues of heaven arrayed, 

Or green persistent spread of grass's lowly blade. 

LXXXVIII. 

Yet the strong moods of ever restless mind, 
Nursing within consuming thoughts that prey 

Upon the substance of the soul confined 
Within its stony prison, rend away 

Fiber and essence and corroded grain, 
Until beneath the smile's exulting play 

Crumbles and droops the torn and yielding brain, 

Or seismic passion shakes the soul's mysterious fane. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 51 

LXXXIX. 

Such mood Dolores' loved prophetic son 

Swayed from his chosen task and fond pursuit, 

The glossy thread by prescient silkworm spun, 
The trellised vineyard's purple clustered fruit, 

Or white and plastic clay's chased cup and bowl; 
And printed page wherein he searched the root 

Of that deep wisdom that adorns the soul 

And yields to human thought a widening realm's con- 
trol.* 

XC. 

Such daily rounds of philanthropic care 

When heart to heart revealed its pressing woe 

A wider ranging sympatlry prepare 

For the long grief of nations spurned and low, 

And voice and hand and mind oppressed and bound, 
The toiler's wasted life denied to know, 

Or rest or choice of nature's gifts around, 

But doomed to lie a clod upon the golden ground, f 

* Hidalgo at Dolores introduced silk cultivation, porcelain and brick 
manufacture. He was a man of broad and cultured mind, and the In- 
quisition denounced him accordingly. He was more of a philosopher 
than a priest. 

f Travelers describe the soil of Peru as in many places consisting or- 
iginally of gold. 



52 AMERICA LIBER AT A 

XCL 

Struggling, confused the forest thicket grows, 
Each eager stem strives blindly to be free; 

In chancing space the climbing verdure blows, 
Trailing o'er pendent spray or lordly tree, 

Pursuing each its own evolving way. 
Lowly or grand, untamed variety, 

Bound by conflicting force of nature's play, 

Shapes branch, and bloom, and fruit up to the perfect 
day. 

XCII. 

'Tis freedom guides the soft and bending stem; 

Freedom impels the forest monarch's spread 
Above its compeers, till released from them 

In the clear space it sways its mighty head. 
Freedom bedecks each prairie gem and blade; 

So high ambition's towering impulse led 
Reigns over rugged crest or sunny glade; 
Or smiles chaste virtue's grace in cordillesian shade. 



AMERICA LIBER AT A 53 

XCIII. 

Thus moved by human native impulse strong 

Men's souls aspired as freedom showed her light, 

Crowded and bruised by growing, crushing wrong; 
Nature's own need proclaimed eternal right. 

Swayed by the living breath of manhood's call 
Hidalgo first ascends the beacon height; 

Throngs the rude multitude to surge and fall, 

Swept by the murderous hail before the bastioned wall. * 

XCIV. 

Not swifter sweeps the prairie's crackling flame, 
The breath of fire whose ravage is not stayed 

Until exhausted food or herbage tame 

And sparse arrest devouring havoc's blade, 

Than spread the frenzied wrath by memory fed : 
Alhondiga, — all Guanajuato made 

A reeking shambles, mangled thousands dead, 

Where furious passion raged through burning veins 
that bled. 

* Hidalgo's first army consisted of rude levies wholly untaught, almost 
unarmed, and forming little more than an enthusiastic mob. 



54 AMERICA LIBERATA 

XCV. 

There o'er the shining treasure's spotless gleam 
Dark clotted gore in crimson foulness lay; 

And bloody chambers' slippery pavements seem 
The combat scene of demons' furious fray: 

And bread all bloody strewn in heaps between 
Nude and distorted limbs gashed, torn away; 

Rapacious bloody hands convulsed the scene, 

Exultant oaths proclaimed fiends' orgies here had been.* 

XCVI. 

Then Guanajuato feels the angry tread 
Of victor thousands,— mercy cast away; 

Revengeful sons recall ancestral dead 

Slaughtered by Spain in her triumphant day. 

Their treasures reft, now hated Spaniards die. 

The staggering crowds with pillaged splendor gay 

In frenzied wrath of devastation vie. 

Palace, and mine, and mart in one black ruin lie. 

* The details connected with the storming cf the Alhondiga at Guana- 
juato were in reality still more dreadful than could be depicted here in 
words. 



AMERICA LIBER AT A 55 

XCVII. 

Las Cruces hill* lays Spaniards' boasting low; 

Humbled Trujillof flees the fatal field; 
Echoes through palace courts the cry of woe, 

The hate of nations terribly revealed. 
An hour the trembling balance poises, then 

Shall Cortes' city bleed, or starve, or yield? 
Or challenged Spain raise her mailed hand again? 
Slowly the martial priest withdraws his skilless men-t 

XCVIII, 

Sequoia's towering bulk, tough fibered oak 
In stubborn forests yield to tempered steel, 

Gnashed, severed fall before the measured stroke 
Or pierced by augur's tooth sway, bend and reel 

With rending crash o'er weaker forest near, 

Opening broad space whose widening lines reveal 

Shelterless copse; the unchecked axe-stroke here 

Subdues such meaner growth that dares small life up- 
rear. § 

* At this pass the Spaniards suffered an alarming defeat. 

f The Spanish commander. 

% Hidalgo has been blamed by some for not attacking Mexico City at 
that juncture. His army amounted to little more than a mob, and a seri- 
ous repulse must have scattered it. 

§ The Indians disappeared like brushwood after the leader's fall. 



56 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

XCIX. 

But as blind rage impels the victor hand, 

Death smites alike each nobler, sweeter tree; 

O'er wider surface bares the level land, 

^ Involving better, worse, in one black destiny; 

So ruthless Spain strikes holier purpose low; " 
In mingled carnage hearts of best degree 

Sink undistinguished by the cruel blow, 
Leaving high virtue void for mourning ages' woe. 



So died Hidalgo, died Allende, died 

Jimenes, Aldama, as die the true, 
Alloyed perchance with coarser dross beside 

A purer ore than Rayas* or Peru 
Yielded to kingly toll, or viceroy's greed. 

Swift though Calleja's lances charge, pursue, 
Swifter by treason's stroke do heroes bleed 
Basely impelled by Elizondo'sf dastard deed. 

* Rayas, one of the most famous mines in Mexico. 

t Elizondo had been a partisan with Hidalgo, but changed sides 
throug disappointed ambition for a coveted ccmmaid. CnaDgea SIdes 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 57 

CI. 

Falls the hewn pine unsentient of the stroke: 
Mute dies the hero of the storm and blast, 

No sigh of pain their conquerors evoke; 

The steel descends, — a century's pride is past. 

The human hero, blest with nobler state, 
Foreknows the fall, the agony at last: 

Firm as the pine beholds his awful fate; 

True as the rigid oak can duty's doom await. 

CII. 

Through sullen gloom move forth commissioned men, 

Leading Dolores' chief with brow serene. 
Bound to the fatal seat he sits; and then 

The crashing volley lights the murky scene. 
|Again, again, again the bullets' flight 

From weapons closer, closer held between, 
Mangle and rend through blinded, treacherous sight; 
iA fifth stroke* spreads the pall of death's all shrouding 
night. 

* The death of Hidalgo is not exaggerated in the text. 



5 8 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

CHI. 

A moment triumph lights Spain's throne on high; 

An hour freedom flickers low, obscure; 
Swep f brighter planets from the darkening sky; 

Instant a thousand constant stars assure 
Freedom's eternal glory's vast array. 

So within million burning hearts endure 
The quenchless fires that lead to hastening day 
When grand to-morrow's dawn shall chase the night 
away. 

CIV, 

As from the mountain's height the viewing eye 
Looks o'er the cloud expanse extending fair, 

A whitening sea where scattered islands lie 
As bolder summits seek the upper air, 

Suggesting only ocean depths below; 

Yet as the mist's illusion floats more rare 

Hamlet and hill to freer vision show 

A real earth where men smile, grieve, in joy or woe. 



AMERICA LIBER AT A 59 

CV. 

So Spain illusioned viewed the landscape wide, 
And deemed a few rude hilltops sheltered all 

A nation's hopes in harshest speech denied: 
Saw in Hidalgo's sudden, bloody fall 

Menace all banished from her cruel reign; 
Yet heeded not the shrill, continuous call 

'Sounding o'er golden hill and vintaged plain;* 

Voiced in a hoarser tone for sons, for brothers slain, 

CVL 

As from a fire-fraught soil springs fitful flame, 
And boiling floods attest the rage below, 

While molten streams uniting spread the same 
Seething turmoil and subterranean glow; 

And as exhausted fountains sink and die, 

With bubbling gush new springing fountains show 

Where secret lava-furnace caverns lie 

Mining the mountain range that flings red flames on 
high. 

* After Hidalgo's death the revolution became more scattered. A 
thousand minor chiefs arose, and the revolutionary sentiment sank 
deeper into the nation. 



6 ° AMERICA LIBERATA 

CVII. 

F FlT y , hi11 rebdJi ° US Standards --. 
Forest ano copse revoked bands conceal. 

W hacendas yield their last supplies ; 

H.ghway and town guerilla swar ms reveal 

cvin. 

Many the chiefs ;-Moreios, t -,et his praise 

Sofdii; kD h ° blegiftS ° f ^-ndof mi P Dd S 
Sold lri „ heart; yet early thought obeys 

The altar's call for other soul designed 
Now nat ]V e ardor, kind]ed by ^ ^ * 

Of country s cry, fl atne s in the risW wind- 
Ra.-g on high a beacon sign that sai ^ 
Or kw or ashes here; or liberty or death 



AMERICA LIBERATA 61 

CIX. 

Within Zitacuaro a nation's heart 

Gathers the coursing life-blood's stream, and then 
Diffuses wide to each remotest part 

Vigor to cheer the fainting souls of men. 
Warmed by the current nourishing and free 

A people's manhood breathes new strength again. 
Inspiring hope breeds valor's constancy, 
And will and nerve revive the drooping hand and knee. 

CX. 

O'er southern range, and torrid region wide 
Province and tribe proclaim Morelos 1 sway; 

His soldier soul, by constant struggle tried. 
Inspires glad hearts that joyfully obey. 

From cowering capital to ocean's shore 
Successive armies gather and display 

Legions that grasp the mine's abounding store. 

And stay the silver stream that Spain shall taste no more. 



62 AMERICA LIBERATA 

CXI. 

Cuautla's wall invites the hero's care. 

This fortress seat secures a chosen place 
Whence eager comrades, swiftly marshaled there, 

May meet Spain's bravest captains face to face. 
Here stern Calleja leads his chosen host; 

Not onset fierce, not furious charge can chase 
The faithful few that guard the crumbling post. 
Morelos holds the wall,— Morelos dreaded most. 

CXII. 

Famine and thirst, where cannon cannot shake 
Ramparts that breathe, compel the brave to yield 

Stones but not men; when bullets fail to break 
His iron will, — Morelos' only shield, — 

In silent night the mingled lines retire; 

Forth springs the foe repulsed in open field; 

Age, sex, and infancy provoke his ire;— 

Seven red leagues* of death man, woman, child expire. 

* Las siete leguas estan tan sembradas de cadaveres enemigos que no 
se da un paso sm que se encuentren muchos.— Calleja's Report. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 63 

CXIII. 

Amid these wild convulsions sounds of woe 

Speed o'er the sea from stricken, bleeding Spain. 

Reels all the land beneath the Frankish blow; 
A fettered prince, — a vicious kingdom's stain, 

Meet recompense of thousand wanton years 
Of dark unreason's* cruel sport with pain, 

Now forcing retribution's bitter tears, 

In indigence and blood, and agonizing fears. 

CXIV. 

Bends her proud capital beneath the sway 

Of a usurper's minion, \ and her feet 
In double fetters creep along the wa}^« 

Within her citadel her t}-rants meet 
The traitor magnates proud of stolen gain, 

Her hosts all shattered, and her broken fleet 
Sunk, wrecked, or captive in her own domain; 
In mockery of good she vaunts a right to reign, 

* The Inquisition 

f Murat occupied Medrid; but he was a mere dupe of Bonaparte, He 
expected, and almost asked for the throne of Spain. The Emperor's 
refusal threw Murat into a fever that rendered bim a different man for- 
ever after. 



64 AMERICA LIBERA TA 

CXV. 

Hears each proud province with indignant scorn 
From senate's wreck old tyranny's decree. 

New life, new mind of faith and courage born, 
Foretaste enjoyed of sweeter liberty, 

Forbid all fetters of the strong right hand. 

Vast realms, strange climes, fresh needs beyond the sea 

Promote high cares, tasks countless as the sand 

Compelling wisdom's rule innate within the land. 

CXVI. 

Even thus the voice from Cadiz* speaks in vain, 
While patient embassies in sorrow plead ; 

Prostrate, chastised, but unregenerate Spain 
Dooms an enslaved dominion still to bleed. 

The sword, the lance resume law's vacant place; 
Thousand strong hearts now roused by country's need 

Feel with stern sense their native hearths' disgrace, 

Recording deeper vow to crush Spain's hated race. 

* The regency, the junta and Cortes successively assembled at 
Cadiz; all these bodies attempted to coerce Mexico; and as the Ameri- 
can deputies demanded local institutions the Cortes at last decided to 
adopt the harshest military measures. 



AMERICA L1BERATA 65 

CXVII. 

Was it a prescience or a blindness? Spread 

In branching lines through layers of molten rock. 

As this fused globe its fiery mantle shed, 

Upheaved and seamed by heat's eruptive shock, 

In the white pureness of earth's furnace flare, 
The silver vaults that toiling men unlock 

To grasp the shining bauble garnered there 

And mold its mellow mass for marts' most meaning 
w 7 are. 

CXVIIL 

Or blessed or cursed with this abounding gift 
Each rugged cliff assumed a beauteous hue. 

Palace, and hall, and placid cloister swift 
Exiled Spain's sons, too eager to pursue 

Treasures more vast than ancient fables told. 

And nature, blind, or prescient, bloomed or grew 

Into that perfect mood that felt unfold 

In mind itself the charm of silver and of gold. 



66 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

CXIX. 

Three centuries long this plenteous wealth bestowed 
On wasteful Spain improvidence and pride, 

And million slaves endured the galling load 

Of lash and steel that gashed them as they died; 

And loyal Mexico's devotion knew 
Limit nor stay, but lavishly supplied 

Her heart's own life that Spain might still pursue 

The blind career of blood that ravined as it grew.* 

cxx. 

This wasteful outflow now restrained and dry, 

Diverted inward gladdens as it goes; 
Yet oft deep springs its flowing streams supply, 

Concealed with art lest treason should disclose 
The source whence Spain imbibed her lust of pride 

Too darkly hidden, wildness overgrows 
Savannas verdured by the life that died, 
With a diffusive joy to virtue's self allied. \ 

* The amount of treasure poured out by Mexico in support of the 
mad career of all Spanish sovereigns from Charles V. to King Charles 
IV., fills the mind with amazement. Not one dollar of it was ever ap- 
plied to the benefit of Mexico. It promoted bloodshed in Europe. 

f Many of the richest mines were entirely concealed by the Indians, 
and have never been rediscovered. The general massacres obliterated 
all knowledge of them from the survivors. 



D 



AMERICA LIBERATA 67 

CXXI. 



eepens the strife. Relentless doom awaits 

Captive or friend or foe;* such vengeance now, 
Three centuries taught by Spain's own lips, creates 

The only penalty stern needs allow. 
3rave Galeana,Metamoros die; 

Bravo and Rayon, sevenfold brothers' vow, 
Raise their fair fame for generous valor high; 
Muniz, Rosales, all with countless heroes vie. 

CXXII. 

But serried rank and steady line regains 
Supremacy and ordered union's might. 

Anahuac sinks, life ebbs through bleeding veins; 
Her scattered sons maintain unequal fight, 

And Coporo, Sombrero, LosRemediosf shield 
A broken remnant on each lonely height. 

Armies retire from open combat field ; 

And the high heart droops low to which her prayer 
appealed. 

*Both sides shot their prisoners. 

f These three rude forts in remote places formed the last refuge of the 
insurrectionists. 



68 AMERICA LIBER ATA 

CXX'III. 

Repulsed in blood from Valladolid's wall, 

Morelos' day triumphant wanes at last. 
Unspared, unpitied, hunted victims fall. 

Through the dead land Spain's victor car hath passed, 
Bearing a leader stern, relentless now, 

On whom mysterious destiny shall cast 
Fame such as war's capricious fates allow, 
Setting a baleful crown on his imperial brow.* 

CXXIV. 

Ecatepecf beholds the hero bound 

Not first but greatest of Anahuac's host. 

Slowly the shackles drag along the ground, 
Gracing Spain's triumph and Calleja's boast. 

Eyes veiled ; — gyved hands; — the placid martyr kneels, 
Grieving alone for country periled most 

By the dread doom his own fall close reveals, 

And the acuter pang each patriot comrade feels. 

*Augustin Iturbide, afterwards revolutionist, and emperor, finally 
shot. 

f A palace fort near Mexico City. Here Morelos fell by the bullet; 
shot in the back, according to the Spanish custom. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 69 

cxxv. 

Within Sombrero's rude encircling line, 

Flanked by two crumbling bastions' mock support, 

Some crooked cannon point a warlike sign 
And three bare huts compose Moreno's fort. 

Hither brave Mina* leads his valiant few; 
Armifian humbled, Lilian's servile porif 

On vengeance bound haste hither to renew 

The bloody sport that Spain's coarse minions still pursue. 

CXXVI. 

Food scarce and vile, and water wholly gone, 
Matrons by night steal down the slippery steep 

To rivulet's brink that gaily gurgles on, 

For a few drops for gasping babes that weep, 

And gnaw the juicy roots of rank grown weed. 

Vainly these trembling mothers crouch and creep ; — 

The piercing lance, the deadly bullets speed, 

For ever lay them low upon the bloody mead. 

*The celebrated Navarese partisan, nephew of the great Mina, 
partisan general in Spain. He led an expedition to Mexico and gained 
several victories. 

f Linan, from a domestic servant of the king, was made marescal de 
campo at once. Haughty and cruel, he still exhibited servile sub- 
serviency to his master. 



7 o AMERICA LIBER ATA 

CXXVII. 

Now famine gnaws; the clouds deny relief; 

Mina's and Torres'* efforts all in vain. 
The gallant Young, f — an awful moment chief, — - 

Asks soldier grace repelled with high disdain. 
In hopeless pain the sick, the wounded lie. 

A bitter farewell said ;— to seek the plain 
Forth Bradburnt leads;— the foe with furious cry 
Leaps on;— within, without the helpless victims die.g 

CXXVIII. 

Leaguerecl Remedios sees brave Mina fall;|| 
Munition gone, death's peril hovers near; 

Crumbles the rude but long defiant walk 

Women, and wounded, — infants gathered here 

Foresee alike Spain's merciless decree; 
A fatal light the blazing beacons rear; 

By every rock, and gulch, and wood and tree 

Beneath the lance, the sword fall wretches as they flee.^f 

*Mina and Torres from without attempted to relieve Sombrero, but the 
Spanish lines proved too strong. 

f Colonel Young, an American office. % Bradbnrn, another American. 

§ The horrors attending the fall of the fort of Sombrero, if fort it can 
be called, are in no way overstated here. 

j| Mina suffered death in Linan's camp in full sight of the garrison of 
Los Remedios. 

fi Immediately after Sombrero fell Linan besieged Los Remedios. 
Precisely similar scenes were here presented. 



AMERICA LIBER AT A 71 

CXXIX. 

There is a silent sympathy that springs 

In hearts alike enduring equal woe; 
Inductive love that lends swift flitting wings 

To the mute speed of each emitted throe. 
Nor time nor space impedes its placid stream ; 

Unseen its soft and sweet caressings go, 
Soothing the sense until pain's self shall seem 
Source of the gentlest joy that fills fair virtue's dream, 

cxxx. 

Such silent sense induced a thrill of shame 

Within Spain's heart, emerging from her tears; 

And suffered grief taught calmer lips to blame 
The bloody sword, through cruel, wasteful years, 

Enthroned alone in law's high curule seat; 
And Spain at last a warning hand uprears 

Pointing to thrones flung low at nations' feet, 

And waving signal signs that distant eyes may greet.* 

* Spain became divided into two political camps after the fall of 
Napoleon. One of these sympathized with the principles demanded by 
Mexico. Finally the military revolution of 1820, that restrained the 
hand of Spain and prevented reinforcements, enabled all Spanish 
America to effect separation. 



72 AMERICA LIBERATA 

CXXXI. 

Spain with new hope beheld her captive king 

Welcomed, enthroned, with all a monarch's pride; 

Her joy, redoubled through her suffering, 
Warmed her full heart for other jo)^s denied, 

With gladness heard her ransomed lord proclaim 
Fealty to wisdom's choice more free and wide; — 

That senates' will should speak in nations' name, 

And all men share alike in honor, wealth, and fame. 

CXXXI I. 

But a dark frown o'erspread Spain's angry brow 

And kingly glory faded to the view. 
The prince adored foreswore his kingly vow 

And men saw tyranny's worst reign renew 
The lash, the gallows, superstition's sway; 

Again the dark tribunal's pains pursue 
Parent and child in evil darkening da} 7 , 
And bade own kindred's love its dearest ones betra}\* 

* Ferdinand VII. in 1814 attempted to re-establish the worst and most 
criminal despotism of the Inquisition in its grossest form. Even Spain 
could not endure that again. He had been the adored of Spain in his 
early days. 



AMERICA LIBER ATA 73 

CXXXIII. 

The swelling surge of feeling's sweeping wave 
Rolls in majestic tide through hope's wide sea, 

Flushed by the breath that stimulates the brave, 
Then spread in dew of soothing sympathy; 

Parched nations felt a softer zephyr blow, 

Man's heart grew calmer as thought ranged more free ; 

And Spaniards felt a gentler pulse's flow 

In a new world of soul the blest rejoiced to know. 

CXXXIV. 

Spain's warrior thousands gathered by the shore, 
Marshaled to slay, now sternly moved to save; 

Defenders ever, tyrants' slaves no more, 

Stirred by the soldier thrill that nerves the brave, ' 

Ensheathed the blade whose menace spread dismay 
Through mourning hearts around Anahuac's grave; 

And tearful eyes new sparkling light display, 

Bright with the gladdening beam of freedom's golden 
day.* 

* The intended expedition of 25,000 men assembled in 1820 at Cadiz. 
The joy of America, North and South, at this military revolution, and 
the open sympathy of Great Britain signified the final break up of 
Spanish dominion. 



74 AMERICA LIBERATA 

cxxxv. 

Entombed with kings within Anabuac's fane 
H.dalgo sleeps; the mountain peaks that rise 

In monumental pinnacles regain 
Above earth's mists the glories of the skies, 

Symbol of his strong virtue as they soar. 
Now sunlit summits to admiring eyes 

Picture the fame of faithful thousands more; 

All, each the sterling coin of pure Anahuac ore. 

CXXXVI. 

Now freedom's tangled problems' knotted skein 
Instinct with living threads perplexed, concealed, 

Ufflused as is the secret winding vein 

That only gleams by skill of man revealed; 

Old tyrant parasites that cling and bind ; 

Falsehood's dark forest growths and brambled field 

Afflict Anahuac patriots' baffled mind; 

Confounding hope,despair; death, life close intertwined 



I Men rise by rugged steps to freeman's height, 
Then look amazed upon the chasm below. 

A moment blinded by the glorious sight, 
Eyes peer and search as steps uncertain go; 

And hands toy roughly with each new-found prize. 
But mind floats proudly in its freedom. Woe 

To the strange wanton menace that defies 

The hand that freedom lifts when wary grown and wise. 



76 



A 



*D-5 



